DIVISION 5. - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Part of the Code of Ordinances of East Providence, RI.
The text
Footnotes:
--- (7) --- Cross reference— Licenses and business regulations, ch. 8.
Sec. 2-116. - Established; composition.#
An economic development commission is hereby established in and for the city to consist of nine regular members and the mayor or designee, the director of planning and economic development or designee and a liaison from the East Providence Chamber of Commerce who shall be ex officio, voting members. Each of the nine regular members of the commission shall be a qualified elector of the city at the time of their appointment and during their incumbency. A strong preference in appointing members shall be given to nominees who have a strong financial background with experience in the fields of banking, accounting, insurance and commercial real estate.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-116; Ch. 559, § I, 7-17-12; Ch. 640, § I, 1-5-16; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-117. - Appointment, term and compensation of members.#
The members of the economic development commission shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to approval by the city council, and shall serve without compensation for a term of five years, provided that the original selections for the nine-member commission shall serve staggered terms. Thereafter each appointment shall be made at the expiration of each term and shall be effective for five years from the date of appointment. The mayor, with the advice and consent of the council, shall have the authority to reappoint members.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-117; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-118. - Filling of vacancies.#
Vacancies occurring in the economic development commission shall be filled for the unexpired term by an appointment by the mayor and confirmation by a majority of the city council.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-118; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-119. - Removal of members.#
The city council, by a majority vote, shall have the authority to remove any member of the economic development commission from office whenever, in its discretion, the best interests of the city shall be served thereby.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-119; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-120. - Election of officers.#
Within 30 days after their appointment, the members of the economic development commission shall meet in regular session and shall organize by electing from their members a chair and secretary. The commission shall elect a chair and a secretary who shall hold office until December 31 of the following year. The commission shall have the authority to elect such other officers as it may deem necessary.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-120; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-121. - Duties of officers.#
(a)
It shall be the duty of the chair to preside over all meetings of the economic development commission. In his absence, an acting chair may be elected to preside.
(b)
It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep a record of all proceedings of the commission, transmit its recommendations to the mayor and the city council and perform such other duties as are usually performed by the secretary of a deliberative body.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-121; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-122. - Rules and procedures.#
The economic development commission, by the affirmative vote of a majority of its regular members, may adopt rules to govern its meetings and procedures. The rules may be amended from time to time, but only upon notice to all members that such proposed amendments shall be acted upon at a specified meeting. The affirmative vote of a majority of the regular members of the commission shall be required for the approval of the proposed amendment.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-122; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-123. - Quorum.#
A quorum, which shall consist of a majority of current, actively appointed members of the economic development commission, shall be necessary for the conduct of any business of the commission. Ex-officio members in attendance shall also be included as part of the quorum count.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-123; Ch. 640, § II, 1-5-16; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-124. - Regular and special meetings.#
The chair of the economic development commission shall have the authority to call regular meetings, and special meetings may be called by the director of planning and economic development or his or her designee, the chair or any five members of the commission, provided that written notice shall be given to all members.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-124; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-125. - Absence from four consecutive regular meetings to constitute retirement of member; filling vacancy of retired member.#
Absence from four consecutive regular meetings without the formal consent of the economic development commission shall be deemed to constitute retirement of a member, and the vacancy thus created shall be filled thereafter by the appointment, in accordance with the provisions of section 2-117, of a successor to fill the unexpired term of office.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-125; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-126. - Powers and duties—Generally.#
The economic development commission shall have the following powers and duties: (1)
To confer with and advise the city council and mayor on all matters concerning economic development in the city;
(2)
To advertise the economic advantages and opportunities of the city within the means provided by any appropriations made therefor by the council;
(3)
To study, investigate and appraise economic conditions and trends affecting the city's industry, business and commerce;
(4)
To collect data and information as to the type of industries best suited to the city;
(5)
To compile, coordinate and promulgate information regarding available areas suitable for commercial development in the city;
(6)
To encourage the proper zoning and orderly development of areas suitable for commercial development of the city;
(7)
To aid the city administration, city council and mayor in the attraction of new businesses and encouraging the expansion of existing industries and businesses;
(8)
To cooperate with all community groups that are dedicated to the orderly economic expansion of the city and to furnish them such aid and advice as is deemed appropriate;
(9)
To cooperate with all industries and businesses in the city in the solution of any community problems which they might have and to encourage the management of such concerns to have a healthy and constructive interest in the city's welfare;
(10)
To periodically survey the overall condition of the city from the standpoint of determining whether the city has the climate and furnishes services and facilities that are conducive to economic expansion;
(11)
The commission may advertise, prepare, print or distribute maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary to the performance of its duties as set forth in this section within the limit of any funds that may be provided for such purposes;
(12)
To confer with and to provide an advisory opinion to the mayor regarding all commercial and micro loan applications for loans in an amount under $100,000.00;
(13)
To confer with and to provide an advisory opinion to the mayor and city council regarding all commercial and micro loan applications in an amount over $100,000.00;
(14)
To confer with and to provide an advisory opinion to the city council on extended tax stabilization applications pursuant to the authority given to the commission under city ordinance section 16-68(a)(5).
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-126; Ch. 640, § III, 1-5-16; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-127. - Same—Limitations.#
Except as may otherwise be provided by ordinance, the powers and duties of the economic development commission are of an advisory nature only, and the commission shall not have any powers or duties which conflict with or supersede the powers and duties of other city commissions or boards.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-127; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-128. - City officials to cooperate.#
All officers and department heads of the city shall cooperate with the economic development commission and render all reasonable assistance.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-128; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-129. - Commission not to incur financial liability in name of city.#
Neither the economic development commission nor any member thereof shall incur any financial liability in the name of the city.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-129; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)
Sec. 2-130. - Annual report.#
The economic development commission shall render annually in the month of January a full report of its activities to the city council.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-130; Ch. 741, § I, 8-20-19)